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Ashburton Maternity Unit is located approximately one hour’s drive from south of Christchurch and provides primary birthing care and postnatal maternity services. In collaboration with your Lead Maternity Carer, Ashburton Maternity Unit can offer you 24 hour, safe, flexible and supportive midwifery care during, and / or after, the birth of your baby.

Pregnancy and birth are normal physiological processes for the majority of women. If you have no complications detected, the option of birthing at a primary unit should be offered and encouraged.

By choosing to birth at a primary facility, you are more likely to have a normal birth and less likely to need interventions. Most women who choose to birth at Ashburton do so, but occasionally a transfer to tertiary services at Christchurch Women’s Hospital is necessary. Ashburton Maternity Unit is fully equipped for childbirth, and the midwives are regularly trained to deal with emergencies.

Primary Birthing Units provide a relaxed homelike environment enabling uninterrupted birth and adjustment to parenthood, with time to support you during breastfeeding. This may include an extended stay to establish breastfeeding if you live remotely.

Free pregnancy testing is available.

Your LMC midwife can refer you to a lactation consultant who may visit you on the ward or at home.

Breastfeeding pumps are available to borrow from the maternity unit and arranged in consultation with your LMC midwife.An appointment can be arranged for you to see a Dietician through a referral from your LMC or GP, if you meet the referral criteria. Your midwife will let you know if a referral is appropriate.